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A tale of two handheld players: RIM vs. Palm |
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Palm has launched a beta of a new over-the-air backup service, simply called Palm Backup, though this name is subject to change before the system's full-scale release. Palm Backup is available on Palm OS-based Treo devices, and supports backing up of contacts, calendar data, memos, tasks, bookmarks, speed dials, and the call log.
Data backed up with Palm Backup goes to a secure server, though it unfortunately will not be available though a web interface. The software currently supports the Treo 700p, 680, and 650 smartphones, and is available for customers of AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon Wireless.
The Palm Backup beta service is available from Palm free for a limited time, though it is more than likely that it will become a subscription service once a full release occurs. It is also worth noting that users of Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync will not be able to backup contacts and calendar data with the service, though this is unlikely to cause a problem.
On the product roadmap:
Palm served up little detail beyond saying that its Treo line will be updated. There may even be more snazzy form factors as Palm rolls out a "platforming" strategy that will enable it to develop devices faster. Palm also talked about differentiated smartphones. "Although the company made clear that it has multiple new products coming out this year, it refused to highlight any time-tables, price-points, or form-factor data points at the conference," said Morgan Keegan analyst Tavis McCourt.
RIM had a different tone since it just launched the BlackBerry 8800. "The BlackBerry 8800 launched on schedule in the quarter with AT&T in the U.S. and was announced with approximately 30 carriers in the rest of the world," said RIM co-CEO James Balsillie on the company's earnings conference call. "This is the fastest global ramp we have ever had for a new product launch and the rollout across these multiple markets has been a success."
On the consumer market:
Palm merely hinted more consumer friendly devices, according to McCourt. "We do believe that new handsets will be developed at lower price-points, with more limited functionality in order to target the massive consumer opportunity more effectively," said McCourt.
RIM is already lighting up the consumer market. "If I had to bet, I don’t think it will be too long before consumer outsells enterprise. I think it might be a little sooner than people imagine but it is just going to be race of who is growing more extra fast," said Balsillie. Meanwhile, RIM has worked on packaging the Pearl to appeal to consumers. After all, a red Pearl or white Pearl is considered innovation by carriers.
On the software platform:
Palm's big news was that it would restore the Palm OS via Linux. In other words, Palm devices will now be available in Windows Mobile and Palm. The big questions: Can the Palm OS regain its momentum after being neglected? Will Palm muddle its OS message with Palm and Windows? RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky speculates that Palm may cook up web applications for storage, photos and applications to woo small businesses and consumers.
RIM is straightforward. It has its own operating system that will gain momentum as Pearls are sold at a rapid clip. While Windows Mobile may be a threat, Balsillie noted that "a switch went off sometime" as carriers saw RIM's software as more than just a niche business application. "There is a real intense focus on carriers for profit right now and they have seen that the strategic BlackBerry platform is not just a browser pipe model to disintermediate them," said Balsillie. RIM also recently announced the BlackBerry Java developer environment so new applications can be built.
International growth:
Palm talked about its international plans a bit, but for the most part the company is confined to North America and Latin America. ThinkEquity analyst Jonathan Hoopes notes that China is going to become Palm's focus, but not until 2008 or 2009.
RIM has been expanding internationally and forging carrier agreements to carry the BlackBerry. Carriers added in the quarter included CLARO in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, DoCoMo U.S.A., Vivo Brazil, Fastlink Jordan, China Mobile Hong Kong, and Vodafone in Bahrain, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Submitted Date: Apr 14, 2007
Source: ZDNet.com blogs
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